..::Football III::..

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Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay: Suarez shines upon return

Luis Suarez played a leading role on his return to international action as Uruguay drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia in a friendly on Friday.The Barcelona man was initially banned from "all football-related activity" following a bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil back in June.

After that sanction was reduced on appeal it was decreed that Suarez could feature in friendly action, and this clash in Jeddah marked his first appearance for the national team since his altercation with Chiellini in Natal.

Suarez had a crucial hand in Uruguay's goal on Friday, thumping a sublime volley which ricocheted off the woodwork and was diverted into his own net by Hassan Muath Fallatah.The 27-year-old had previously played a full 90 minutes for Barcelona's Under-23 side last month, but he was withdrawn after 70 minutes of this encounter.

Suarez had a chance to claim a goal for himself shortly before he was taken off, but he was denied by a fine save from Waleed Abdullah as he attempted to round the goalkeeper.

And Saudi Arabia clinched a draw in dramatic circumstances when substitute Naif Hazazi headed home in the 90th minute to deny Suarez and Uruguay victory.
Though the hosts struck late, they had threatened throughout, Nasser Al Shamrani prodding off target as early as the third minute.

Uruguay's best opening of the first half fell to Jonathan Rodriguez, who headed namesake Cristian's clipped left-wing cross into the side-netting at the back post.
Al Shamrani fired narrowly wide of the right-hand upright as the hosts continued to threaten and Yahya Al Shehri struck the post from close range after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.

Tempers briefly flared in first-half stoppage time after Mustafa Al Bassas' heavy challenge on Alvaro Pereira, which earned a booking from referee Jameel Juma Abdulhusain Mohamed.Two minutes after the interval, a moment of magic from Suarez gave Uruguay the lead.

The Barcelona man got on the end of Nicolas Lodeiro's lofted free-kick and struck a sweet first-time volley which crashed off the base of the left-hand upright and cannoned into the shins of the unwitting Fallatah running back towards his own goal.

Saudi Arabia responded strongly, Abdullah Al Zoari heading narrowly over from a corner before Fallatah tested Fernando Muslera with a swerving shot as he looked to atone for his earlier mishap.

Mathias Corujo lashed an effort wide for the visitors as the game began to open up, and Suarez was denied by the onrushing Abdullah when sent clean through in the 66th minute.

A combination of Abdullah and Osama Hawsawi somehow scrambled the ball away as substitute Diego Arismendi looked to pounce from point-blank range.With five minutes to go, Saudi Arabia looked to have wasted their opportunity to rescue a draw when Hazazi headed too close to Muslera from six yards out but in the final minute the striker got his head on another delivery from the right and glanced the ball beyond a motionless goalkeeper.

 

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United States 1-1 Ecuador: Donovan hits post in international farewell

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.— Landon Donovan broke in behind the Ecuador defense, sparking a roar from a grateful crowd, and his U.S. national team farewell looked like it might receive the perfect ending. His shot looked good as it headed toward goal, but the ball kissed off the right post, sparking a collective grown from a stadium full of fans trying to will one more moment of greatness out of a retiring legend.

Donovan didn’t find the net on Friday night, but he still gave the crowd of 36,265 some final thrills in a U.S. uniform, donning the captain’s armband and creating some promising chances in 40 minutes of action before leaving to a loud applause and stream of hugs from his teammates. Mix Diskerud’s classy fifth-minute finish looked like it might send Donovan out a winner, but an 88th-minute blast from Enner Valencia spoiled the party, forcing the Americans to settle for a 1-1 draw at Rentschler Field on Friday night.

Though the result did not belong to the U.S., the night belonged to Donovan, who made one final appearance for the national team before his planned retirement from the sport at the end of the current MLS season. He fit right in with the young U.S. squad despite not having trained with the team this week.

Diskerud opened the scoring in the fifth minute, finishing off a DeAndre Yedlin pass to kick off an exciting start to the match for the U.S. Speedy American winger Joe Gyau was forced out of the match in the 22nd minute, and was replaced by Bobby Wood, who had an active, but frustrating night in just his second national team appearance.Donovan’s night was also a bit frustrating, as he had a snap header saved in the eight minute and saw a golden chance clang off the right post.

Klinsmann chose to play Donovan longer than the 30 minutes he had suggested he would play earlier in the week, and Donovan found one more chance late in his appearance, only to see his shot go wide left of goal.The end of Donovan’s national team career finally came in the 41st minute, as teammates took turns hugging him before he walked off one final time. He shared a moment with Klinsmann on the sideline before taking his seat on the bench.

The Americans had the better of the chances through the first 60 minutes of the match, but Ecuador began putting the pressure on the U.S. defense as the match went on, and finally broke through when Valencia sent a right-footed blast swerving just inside the right post, leaving U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan frozen in place.The U.S. nearly found a late winner, but a promising Bobby Wood pass was picked off before reaching Chris Wondolowski on the back post.

The Americans return to action on Tuesday in Boca Raton, Florida in a friendly against Honduras. The U.S. team will see some changes to the squad, with Graham Zusi and Sean Johnson among the players expected to come into camp.

 

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Van Persie happy after 'bizarre' game

Robin van Persie says Netherlands' 3-1 win over Kazakhstan was a "bizarre" game, but was happy with his side's display.

Despite the Oranje's dominance, the visitors took a surprise lead in the first half through a Renat Abdulin header. Netherlands continued to attack throughout the game but did not equalise until the 62nd minute when substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headed home an Ibrahim Afellay cross.

Afellay put the home side in the lead with eight minutes left before Van Persie converted a penalty to secure the three points and the Manchester United man feels his side always believed they could get the three points from the match.
"It was a bizarre night," the forward told NOS. "But we got a good result in the end. It was difficult, but I think we played well.

"They didn't have many chances. We always believed in ourselves."Afellay, who has been struggling with injuries for the past few seasons but has returned to the national team set up after two years out, said he was delighted to be back in action for his country and finish the night off with a crucial goal.

"For me, it has been a very difficult time. After two years of not being in the Dutch squad, taking part like this with a goal and an assist, that gives you a very good feeling.

"During the match I didn't think about the special moment that I experienced. After the match, I realised that it was very special. This is a positive feeling for me.

"Now I know it is not normal to be in such good health. So I will try to enjoy every moment on the pitch."

 

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Allegri against video replays in Serie A

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is against video replays and hopes that Serie A continues to trust referees' instincts.

The Scudetto holders required a late stunner from Leonardo Bonucci to settle an intense top-of-the-table clash with Roma, which finished 3-2 to the Bianconeri.
Much of the talk since that game in Turin has been on the fortuitous Juve goals, with Giallorossi boss Rudi Garcia heavily critical after the game of the penalty decisions and Allegri himself admitting that Arturo Vidal's offside position hindered the visitors for Bonucci's winner.Referee Gianluca Rocchi has been suspended for two matchdays for his questionable officiating in the Italian tussle, but Allegri is determined that mid-match replays are not the answer, with some of the decisions in the clash still dividing opinion nearly a week since the full-time whistle.

"I am against video replays," he told Tuttosport. "Why? Because you can see that five days after Juventus-Roma - and I am very sad about this - there is still talk about whether they were penalties."There wasn’t enough respect towards those who played the game and the game has since been reduced to its refereeing decisions."

Juve - top of the Italian table - are back in action after the international break with a visit to Sassuolo, who are bottom of Serie A after six games.

 

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Barcelona back Catalans for independence vote

Barcelona have backed the Catalan region's right to vote for independence from Spain.

There have been suggestions from the Spanish Football League (LFP) that Luis Enrique's men will be booted out of La Liga should the Catalan region, of which they are at the heart, become a new country.Such comments appeared to make the Camp Nou club reluctant to show support for the independence campaign and they were criticised by some fans for refusing to speculate on the "sensitive issue" following a board meeting on Monday.

However, Barca have finally shown their hand ahead of the referendum on November 9, which could lead to a full-scale separation from Spain vote in the near future.

"FC Barcelona have signed the Catalan national pact for self-determination," the club said in a statement on their website. "FC Barcelona formalised their adhesion in a formal letter from president Josep Maria Bartomeu to the pact co-ordinator Joan Rigol.

"The pact brings together over 3,500 organisations and associations from a wide spectre range of social and political positions which endorse the Catalan people's right to self-determination."Barca defender Gerard Pique was under fire during this latest international break for showing support for Catalan's independence.

If La Liga eject Barca from the division following independence - something even Real Madrid's rival stars are against - Ligue 1 has in the past been mooted as a potential new home for the prestigious Catalan club.

 

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Hiddink: Netherlands winner was just a matter of time

Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink says he was always confident his side would beat Kazakhstan in their Euro 2016 qualifying clash, despite not taking the lead until the 82nd minute.

The visitors took a shock lead in the first half through Renat Abdulin's header from a corner, but substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar levelled matters just after the hour mark.

Ibrahim Afellay then put the Oranje in the lead 20 minutes later with the aide of a deflection on his first international appearance in almost two years. The victory was capped off in the dying minutes when Robin van Persie slammed home a penalty.
Despite leaving it so late, Hiddink insists he had no doubts that he would register his first win as Netherlands boss on Friday.

"We can be satisfied," he told NOS. "The only corner they had went in. Then we had to play against a wall of players. In the first half we suffered from that.

"We stayed calm during half-time. But if we kept playing like that, we would get there eventually. It was just a matter of scoring goals."I didn't have the feeling we would lose points tonight."

The 67-year-old admitted he had been planning to introduce Huntelaar at some point since the break and believes his side will be able to get the better of Iceland when they meet in their next qualifier on Monday.

"During half-time we were planning Huntelaar's substitution. It was good that the fans backed us after he came on," he added."I have confidence we can win the Iceland match. There will be more space to play than tonight."

 

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Italy must become more ruthless - Conte

Antonio Conte urged his Italy side to be more ruthless after Friday's dramatic 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Azerbaijan.

Conte was made to sweat over his 100 per cent start to life in charge of the national side, despite the hosts dominating proceedings at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo.

Defender Giorgio Chiellini ultimately stole the show, as he scored all three goals, including a late winner. But, having put Italy in front shortly before the interval, the Juventus defender looked set to undo his good work with an own goal 13 minutes from time.

Although the experienced centre-back eventually proved the match-winner by scoring again at the right end with eight minutes left, Conte was left frustrated as Italy made hard work of the Group H points."In all honesty, I have little to complain about, other than the fact the players weren't determined enough in front of goal," the Italy coach told Rai Sport.

"Azerbaijan didn't have a shot other than the goal and scored out of nowhere with that bundle over the line."We reacted well, proving this team has what it takes. We need to be more clinical, more determined and we wasted too much tonight.

"Azerbaijan came here to stop us playing and hope to score from a set play. Their plan was actually working but we scraped a small win, but deserved much more."

 

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Chiellini: It went wrong for Italy up front

Giorgio Chiellini conceded that Italy's attacking left a lot to be desired after they needed a late goal from the defender to beat Azerbaijan 2-1 on Friday.

The Juventus centre-back stole all of the headlines by netting the first goal just before half-time, bumbling in the equaliser for the visitors - who mustered just two shots all evening - after 77 minutes and then saving himself and Italy from embarrassment by heading in the winner in the final 10 minutes.

Following the narrow European Championship qualifier victory in Palermo, Chiellini said Antonio Conte's reign continues in a positive fashion because of his goals and laughed off his own-goal by insisting he could not dodge the ball."The ball came out of nowhere, I couldn't get out of the way!" he told Rai Sport. "Oh well, I did everything tonight - good and bad!

"It would have been a shame if it had finished with their equaliser, we risked compromising the win we deserved."It is an important victory for our new era. We got it wrong up front with our finishing, but our attitude is the right one."

Italy are back in action as they pursue one of 23 available places in the Euro 2016 finals with a trip to Malta on Monday. They top Group H after two games, ahead of second-place Croatia on goal difference.

 

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Strootman: Scoring for Roma my first mission

Kevin Strootman says his first mission after returning from a long spell on the sidelines will be to get back scoring for Scudetto contenders Roma.The Dutch midfielder, 24, has not featured for Rudi Garcia's men since October 2 after he injured the anterior cruciate knee ligament in his left leg.

After missing the 2014 World Cup and the start of the new Serie A season, Strootman stressed he is not rushing his comeback but does have his sights on getting onto Roma's scoresheet once he is back playing at the Stadio Olimpico.
"After I had my operation, there was just one mission: to be fit as soon as possible," he told one of his sponsors, Nike, as his comeback nears.

"It was difficult to be focused all of the time but, when I was in training, I was fully concentrated on my recovery."What makes me work hard for my recovery is that I want to be back stronger and better than when I picked up the injury.

"Of course I want to play as soon as possible, but only when I am fully, 100 per cent fit so that I can be important for the squad."I don't think about my comeback for the team, but, when I am fully recovered, my first mission is to score a goal in our stadium."

Strootman is one of the most in-demand central midfielders in the world after increasing his reputation with Roma in 2013-14, though the Italian club are refusing to contemplate a winter switch to Manchester United.

 

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Van Gaal could match Ferguson at Manchester United - Schmeichel

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes Louis van Gaal will bring a lot of success to the club if he is given enough time.

David Moyes' solitary season at the helm since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson was a disaster as United finished seventh in the Premier League, but, after a rocky start to 2014-15, Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton saw the club record consecutive victories for the first time this term and move up to fourth place.

The Red Devils have spent big on the likes of Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera this summer and Schmeichel believes the new coach could achieve the same success as Ferguson as the Scot also had a rough start before carrying the club to the pinnacle of English and European football.

"Manchester United will always be my home, part of me," Schmeichel told Goal.

"Alex Ferguson is not there anymore and the club is going through difficult times but I believe bringing Louis van Gaal was a good move. The new team and new coach just need time; it is not easy to reach that level that Ferguson's United was at.

"If you can remember, it took Ferguson some time to manage things in his way too and, after that, he ruled for two decades."

Schmeichel was involved in an incident recounted in former team-mate Roy Keane’s new autobiography, in which the Irishman claims to have headbutted his colleague.

Asked about the story, the Dane replied: "No comment."

 

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Cleverley: Advanced role at Aston Villa can silence my Manchester United critics

Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley is eager to prove his critics wrong in a more advanced role at Aston Villa this season.

The England international will spend the remainder of this term on loan at Villa Park, having been deemed surplus to requirements for 2014-15 by Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

Cleverley has shown signs of promise in a midfield three under Villa boss Paul Lambert - largely playing alongside Fabian Delph and Ashley Westwood.

The 25-year-old came in for criticism on occasions at United, especially during the latter stages of David Moyes's ill-fated tenure, but feels that he can flourish in an attacking role at Villa.

Asked by the Birmingham Mail about the criticism that he received at United, Cleverley replied: "If you looked at the games, the areas I was playing in were a little bit deeper and under different systems. It probably didn't suit my game perfectly.

"I'm motivated to prove a few people wrong and hopefully that does increase my performances.

"All my best games for Manchester United and England have tended to be in a three - that's a system we play here so it suits me.

"I want to be more advanced in that three and hit both boxes."

 

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Reus and Gundogan feature in Dortmund friendly

​Borussia Dortmund duo Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan are close to a first-team return after taking part in an Under-23 match on Friday.

The pair played 45 minutes in a match behind closed doors against Bochum's Under-23 side, attacking midfielder Gundogan finding the net in a 2-0 win for Dortmund.Gundogan has not played since August of last year due to an on-going back problem, while forward Reus has been on the sidelines for a month after tearing ankle ligaments for the second time during international duty for Germany.

But both are in line to feature in Dortmund's next Bundesliga match at Koln in eight days' time after sporting director Michael Zorc – who watched the game along with coach Jurgen Klopp - expressed his satisfaction with their performances.
"Both of them looked very good," Zorc told Dortmund's official website."Especially when you consider how long Ilkay has been away.

"He looked very comfortable on the ball, but it was only his first test and it was only for one half so we shouldn't attach too much importance to it."

 

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'Robben more complete than Messi & Ronaldo'

Former Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk says he would rather have Arjen Robben in his team than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Dutchman was in sublime form for his country throughout the World Cup as Oranje made the semi-finals, but was pipped to the best player of the tournament award by the Barcelona forward, who finished second with Argentina.

However, Van Marwijk says that his former charge is superior to both the 27-year-old and the Ballon d'Or winner, who has started the season with a bang for Real Madrid.

"If I'm a coach and I could choose Messi, Ronaldo or Robben, I'd choose Robben," he told AD.

"Out of the three players, he's the most complete. Robben ahead of Ronaldo and Messi in that regard but not everyone sees that. The focus is on goals and attacking.

"I get the idea that this is the thinking for individual prizes like the Ballon d'Or."
Robben infamously missed a penalty for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 2012 and was jeered by the Bavarians' fans days later when he represented his country against his club in a friendly.Van Marwijk says his response since then, including the winning goal in the showpiece a year later, shows his strength of character.

"How long ago was it that he was booed in his own stadium? We played there in 2012 with Netherlands against Bayern and he couldn't do anything right.
"Look what he did afterwards. That makes him very special."

 

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'Robben more complete than Messi & Ronaldo'

He he monawa unath 1kanam attha thamai​

 

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Sneijder confirms Gala financial dispute

Wesley Sneijder has confirmed that his agent is in talks with Galatasaray over unpaid wages.Reports in the Netherlands suggest he may have gone three months without being paid, entitling him to leave the club on a free transfer if he chooses to do so.

And the former Inter and Real Madrid playmaker confirmed to De Telegraaf that his representatives are currently in negotiations with the cash-strapped Turkish giants.

"Galatasaray are working hard to sort their financial situation,” he said.“My management is in talks with the club over a solution. Right now I am focused on the Netherlands national team.”

Club president Unal Aysal has confirmed that he does not plan to run for re-election as the side's debts continue to increase amidst fears they could soon face further sanctions for breaching Uefa’s financial fair play ruling.

In May the club were found to be in breach of the regulations and agreed to a settlement which ordered them to drastically cut spending.

 

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Juanfran: Diego Costa will come good for Spain

Spain defender Juanfran has leapt to the defence of under-fire striker Diego Costa, insisting the Chelsea man will soon start finding the net for the national side.

The Brazil-born striker is without an international goal in five matches after failing to score in Thursday's shock Euro 2016 qualification defeat to Slovakia on Thursday.

The 26-year-old elected to play for Spain over the country of his birth, Brazil, and is facing increasing criticism from sceptics who say his inclusion doesn’t fit the side’s tiki-taka style.However, Costa has scored nine goals in six games for Chelsea this season and Juanfran has backed him to fire at international level as well.

“He’s not getting the scoring chances he’s getting with his club team,” Juanfran told AS. “He’s committed and sooner or later he will start scoring goals. We need to be patient with him. On Sunday [against Luxembourg], everything will be fine.”

Juanfran added his belief Thursday's defeat was unfair on Spain, which saw Iker Casillas in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after another high-profile blunder.
“Their goalkeeper had the game of his life. I truly don't believe we deserve to leave this stadium defeated,” he said.

“Sunday is a must-win game now. We are disappointed and we'll go over it again and again tonight. But by the morning we'll find the way to take the positives out of our display and we'll look to take three points on Sunday. I don't think we'll treat this like it is the end of the world.”

 

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Casillas has not lost his magic, says Del Bosque

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has denied that Iker Casillas in decline, saying his skipper is still a top performer.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper was guilty of an error during Thursday's shock loss to Slovakia and endured a torrid World Cup as the European champions exited at the group stage.However, the veteran coach believes that every fan of his team should be proud to have Casillas represent them.

"He's a customary scapegoat in a match," he told Radio Marca."I don't think Casillas has lost his magic. He's a fantastic player that all Spaniards should boast about."

Spain called up the naturalised Diego Costa last term but the Brazil-born forward is yet to strike for his adopted nation. Del Bosque, however, is not overly concerned about the Chelsea forward's form for La Roja.

"He's not having any luck with us. But he's the top scorer in the Premier League and scored many goals last year for Atletico Madrid," he said.

 

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Casillas out form nisa De Gea ta chance 1ka dunna nam hari​

 

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European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2014.10.11

European Championship Qualifying Group Stage Fixtures 2014.10.11

Group D

Republic of Ireland Vs Gibraltar

Scotland Vs Georgia

Group F

Romania Vs Hungary

Group I

Armenia Vs Serbia

Group D

Poland Vs Germany

Group F

Finland Vs Greece

Nothern Ireland Vs Faroe Islands

Group I

Albania Vs Denmark​

 

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International Friendly Fixtures 2014.10.11

International Friendly Fixtures 2014.10.11

Argentina Vs Brazil

France Vs Portugal​